Gadget bag



March 18, 1958 w. H. HINSON GADGET BAG Filed June 4, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ill...

MarchA 18, 1958 w. H. HINSON 2,827,096

GADGET BAG Filed June 4, 1956 l 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 tijd. o

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GADGET BAG Application June 4, 1956, Serial No.V 589,174

5 Claims. (Cl. 15G-52) This invention relates to improvements in containers yadapted for the storage and carrying of relatively small articles and more particularly to improvements in such containers adapted to be used With photographic equipment and the like.

The art of photography has developed to the point where even the casual photographer often finds it necessary to use relatively large amounts of equipment in his picture taking activities. Thus, the photographer frequently is loaded down with one or more cameras, a supply of lm and a number of accessories such as a light exposure meter, folding tripod, interchangeable lenses, flash equipment, etc.

Many carrying cases have been devised in the prior art for accommodating this growing list of accessories and for providing safe storage for the generally easily damaged cameras. Customarily, these carrying cases, often designated as gadget bags, have ranged from small single pocket types to relatively large multipocket types to offer the user a selection consistent with the nature of his equipment.

ln the manufacture of such carrying cases it has been found advantageous in some instances to provide the case with individual enclosures for the cameras and for the various accessories. Such an arrangement serves both to prevent the camera from being damaged by the accessories and in addition facilitates the picture taking operation. One disadvantage, however, in prior art carrying case constructions is that often the individual enclosures are disposed in crowded and interfering relation with each other so as to require the removal of the accessories to provide access to the camera.

lt further has been found advantageous in the prior art to construct the carrying cases of a relatively soft and exible material such as leather, Leatherette, plastic and other similar materials. This type of construction not only provides a pleasing appearance but additionally affords comfort and ease of handling to the user in the normal on the shoulder carrying position. However, this construction has the disadvantage of not providing as strong a protective enclosure for the camera as might be obtained by the use of more rigid materials.

lt is a general object of this invention to provide an improved carrying case and storage container.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved carrying case and storage container for photographic equipment which includes individual storage compartments for maintaining accessories in nondamaging relation to the camera.

It is still another object of this invention to provide such a container for photographic equipment wherein the accessory storage compartment additionally serves as a safety cover for the camera compartment.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an improved photographic storage case which may be adjusted to accommodate cameras of diiferent over-all size.

lt is a still further object of this invention to provide an improved photographic carrying case which has an individual and detachable accessory storage tray.

lt is a still further object of this invention to provide an improved photographic carrying case having means for providing access to either an accessory storage compartment or -a camera storage compartment while maintaining the other compartment in fully enclosed condition.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a unique photographic storage and carrying case which is characterized by its exibility, compactness and structural rigidity.

These and other objects are realized in a specic illustrative embodiment of the invention wherein a carrying case for photographic equipment is provided with individually accessible storage compartments for cameras and for accessory equipment. In accordance with a feature of the invention the accessory storage compartment comprises an accessory tray which advantageously is formed of a relatively rigid material and is detachably secured to the top cover of the camera storage compartment. A zipper is positioned between the camera storage compartment and its top cover such that access to the camera compartment is provided merely by opening the zipper and lifting back the cover.

ln accordance with other features of the invention the top cover is made in two parts adapted to be separated from each other by a second zipper. The iirst part primarily comprises a strap having a number of snap fasteners attached thereto such that the accessory tray may be securedly but detachably mounted within the strap above the camera compartment. The remaining part of the top cover comprises a lid adapted to iit over the tray and secured to the strap by means of the zipper.

In practical use, therefore, the carrying case may be used to carry accessories in the storage tray or compartment and cameras in the camera compartment. Access to each is provided by means of a zipper located above each compartment without disturbing or opening the other compartment. lf desired, the snap fasteners holding the accessory tray may be opened and the accessory tray removed from the carrying case for either transporting the accessories to a working position or for increasing the size of the camera compartment to accommodate a larger camera or an additional number of cameras.

Further, a pocket is provided on the front of the carrying case and a carrying strap is attached around the latter to facilitate transportation of the case.

The above and other features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this speciiication. For a better understanding of this invention, however, its advantages and specific objects attained by its use reference is had to the accompanying drawing and descriptive matter in which is shown and described an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fully closed photographic carrying case embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the carrying case with the top cover open to provide access to the accessory compartment;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the carrying case with the top cover open to provide access to the camera compartment; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the upper rear portion of the camera case of Figure l.

Referring now to the drawing, the speciiic illustrative embodiment of the invention disclosed therein shows a photographic equipment storage and carrying case 1i) which hereinafter will be referred to as a gadget bag.

of retainingA loops 52,? axarrying `strap'ztzattaehed Vto;V bag supportinggstrap ;645anda. front; pocket .49.hasting; ,a4 prov Vtectivletiap 42;;

Advantageously; Vthe above rdes'cribedi-components sare, formed of :a relatively: flexible material, .such :as i leather;

Leatherettepiplastic;on thef.like,V to. provide the; gadget.`

bagwith `a pleasing appearance: andftof facitate the han# dling thereof especially when the gadget bag is Carriedl Yoverv theV shoulder. of the usen'byimeanszof carryingstrap 56. However, itwill belunderstood thatany .other :'niate rial suitable.- torbe Aused withisuch gadgetrb'agrmay-he utilized in its manufacture. Y

, Toplcover 16 in Iaccordano'e-with'animportant aspect Y of this invention comprises two'individual "a'nd-separatelyfv fastened portions.'V Thesey include a tray support strap 22`anrla lid V14.' Tray support-strap 22extendsl-'substan' tially around gadget Vbag 10 i andisy connectablef' at x`=its Y lower edge to camera compartment-12-bymeansbfliipa per 2Q. rfray'support strap f22ffurther is connectable-at its upper edge to lid 14 vby-means of zipper .24',-L

Y As best shown in Figure 2," traysupportfstrap T22 has" A extending through the front portion 'Y thereoffa pair f of rivets fconnectede-at their innerlends to clip springs-35';

of a pair' of snap fasteners-34;V Tray supportfstrapiZZ has extending through the rear portion Vthereof-a'pair-"of rivets 18 connected at their outerl endstothebackfli'r ofY camera Venclosure 412 and at theirainner ends 'to clfprsprings- 35'cfsnaprfasteners 232V n Y.

An accessory tray 30 advantageously isjjdetachablyj positioned Vwithin tray',supportstrap'212':v Rivets'land 36,*Qeiitending through ithe front and' rear wallsnofray 40 "may have a ap 42 providedto cover the opening thereof and held in, closed relation thereto, by means of a tab 46 placed through a retaining loop 44.V

Additionally it is contemplated that carrying strap 56 may be provided with buckle means 58 for enabling the` length of strap 56 to be adjusted as desired in 'accordance ywith the users preferencefr` Y Y It will be V,understood that the various components of gadget bag 10 may be connectedzbyf-any desirable means such as `stitchingLrivetingNorthe like or, alternatively,may be formedpartially of integrally connected pieces and! partially of "stitched or riveted piecesV ofmateriali' Ifdesired a pair of camera *supporting and cushioning bumpers 48 andfSUemaylbe.zprovidedlwithinfcamera enclosure 12 at the innerside :walls thereof as shown in VFigure 4 of the drawing. Mnifestly bumpers 48 and50 also serve to support tray 30 when the latter is fastened to strap 22.

Whileeaeparticulanembodiment offthis invent-ion 'has beenidescribedfin detail;` itwill-b'e understood 'thatflthis` embodiment.:f is-imerelyvillustrativeof :therz'applioationoof f Y the principles;.ofl'thesinventionuandilthat numerous other ones ofV said walls for'facilitatiiighandling saidibag';V

39,: are:connected,to flanged members 39"fof snapvfas--VY teners andv28, respectively. Thus traygivitnrayeasilyAIV beV snapped 'into and outof supportedengagernent with strap 22,' as desired. K j Y it will be appreciated,j therefore, thatgaccessory tray 374i)V may be securedin position above carriera.cornpartrneint'QV Y Y.12fto provide ayreceptacle for thestorage of lm,flight exposure metersrlenses and vthe. .like or, alternatively, may-` be detachablyjremoved'by-meansof snap fastenerslr28j and 34l from this position feitherto allow' tray "atjtoY beV4 utilized eisewhere than in. gadgetbagV 101er tQPfVide' adi" ditional space withinfcame'racompartment i2".fc` r f tl*re ac, commodativon of.' can-.lerasw of'ilarger, size,V or,V additional cameras, Further, ,it :will beirappre'ciated, that When-:tray Si) iis lfastened 'tof tray supportjstrap 2251,accessi'toflcamera compartment 12 without ds'turbn tray 39 is pnroviderdfbyV openigf'zip fer .'2'6..a'nd..foldingV the lentire top covern 1d back/as IshownLinFigureAbfthe. drawing.; Alternatively, access.l to theaccessorieszinltray 30 .isY porvided-with'out openingV carriera compartrrliili;12:-` by undoing ..zipperV 24; and folding lid 1:4 back .as-'shownf Yin Figure 3'of thr'edrawing'.` Y

as many Vcompartmentsasdesiredby.means ,ofV transverse dividers such as divider 32` Eurther,in..a,preferredernf the Vacces'sorisg in r Itis contemplated that tray; 31)..may lbesubdir/idle@.into

strap'Y retainingY meanslattaehed l'to-\ce1=tain;onesof -`"said" walls yandiuforrn'irrg loopsthereatafonholdingesai includingladid andastrap;istlpperneans disposecbY between saidi-lid-and oneaedge`| ofL said strapv second-f-ipj-fper? means disposed- =between `the top oflthe enelosureiandi the other1edgeof il'said strap; a trayeformedf*of'relatively" rigid material adaptedvto be carried by Vsaid?coverforY utilization as a Yfurther#storage-ineans andI as-'aj-protective' cover' forVA articles Witliignesaidfenelosure; access; tojjsaid tachablefastenercrneans attached to said'str'apjand'to'said.

bodirnent ofY the invention jtray: 'grjgis formed vofga rela- A tively Y strong andrigidfmaterial s'uchl as,wo'o`d, plastieor the like so that it may not only be used separate-- from;

gadget bag. 10 fbuLfurt-hn safeeaardizthe-.camera equipe,

Y mentV in compartmentlg'from.damagegasja resultfof a.. heavy object being dropped or being placed onfthge .gadget,

bag. Y,

' Additional strength. bffprovidedyforI-the atop co/ver.'4

ofthe gadget bag byV meansY of astitnergt): attaennd to..`

the 1211er Porfinla Offlidlfa 1Adriaen-lesenswert! beprovidedfor-the rearwall' ofgadget baggttbyymeansf of a stitener 62 attached. torearvwalklportio 5- Y If additional storage: spaceuis.7 desirel f 1s f content?,

plated "that a pocket .Qdnaybeattachedto.theffrontlwall of camera enclosurelZr. JASshown-inthe-dnawingfpocket Ysure when saidltra be .detachabiy vpositioned"within said cover, Aaccess' `being'y provided 'to saidienclosure whensaidjtray isjin position within said coyer-byxsaid secondJzipper.jmeans. Q 2. A storage and'carrying bag'comprisingthecombina; Y tionfof a'plurality of wallsdening a relatvelylarge st orage enclosurega covertforsaid enclosure, said coverg clu'dingY a lidl and'ia'strap;v lrst"zipper meansmdis'ppsed between: said-VV lid" and,Y 'one' edgeV ofY said'j strap, second] n. Vzipper Vmeans disposredi between 'the eiiclosurY andthe; otherledgeof/ said strap; a trayrardaptedfto be by saidcover,v` access-to' saidtray'l bei/ng.A providedfby said Y rstV-fzipperuimeans;,andrdetachable' 'fastener means attached Itojsaidstrap-and'to #saiditray' in cooperative relationqfon permitting Isaid tray tobe vdetachably positioned withinnsaid' covenfaccessbeing provided tol1said' encl'- 1 s infposition Asaid cover-by" saidseeoridizippei" means. Y

3. A storagefand-lcarryingfbaglcornprisingfthe ycombina- Vposed between the enclosurer and thegother edge'joffsai'd" strap; and.V fastener means-'attached fito saidstrap andtexe tendingimvardly'f therefro'ml intoV said-l .cover'f for`^ attach mentwithi-a' storage: tray whenever-"the latterfis 4posi',-

tioned within saidlcover;accessbeingprovidedfto saidj` Y enclosure-:when thefstorage'f'tray1isV -in' position-within YVsaid.

'41.11A ,photograph'iore'quipnientV storageandfcarrfying bag comprising-I; anrelativrelyf large cameral'compartment, Va Y ish-fpv` n' means Ito said-bags alceverlforws aid enclosure, saidcoverl Y cover for said camera compartment, said cover including a lid and a strap, an accessory tray formed of relatively rigid material adapted to be carried by said cover means, detachable fastener means attached to said strap and to said tray for permitting said tray to be detachably positioned within said cover, rst zipper means disposed between said lid and said strap for providing access to said accessory tray, and second zipper means disposed between said strap and said camera compartment for providing access to the latter when said accessory tray is fastened within said strap.

5. A gadget bag comprising the combination of a plurality of walls defining a relatively large camera enclosure, said walls being integrally formed of relatively pliant material, elongated strap means disposed about said Walls for facilitating handling of said bag, strap retaining means attached to said Walls and forming loops thereat for holding said strap means to said bag, a cover for said camera enclosure, said cover including a lid and a strap, first fastening means disposed between said lid and one edge of said strap, second fastening means disposed between the top of the enclosure and the other edge of said strap, a tray formed of relatively rigid material adapted to be detachably supported by said cover for utilization as a further storage means and as a protective cover for articles within said camera enclosure whereby access to said tray is provided by undoing said first fastening means and moving back said lid and access is provided to said camera enclosure when said tray is in position within said cover means by undoing said second fastener means and moving back the entire cover, and third fastener means connected to said strap and said tray in detachable cooperative relation for enabling said tray to be detached from said gadget bag and thereby increasing the size of said camera enclosure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNTTED STATES PATENTS 744,664 Worth Nov. 17, 1903 1,925,694 Hawkins Sept. 5, 1933 1,950,252 Lewis Mar. 6, 1934 2,131,583 Crotty et al Sept. 27, 1938 2,294,794 Morelli Sept. 1, 1942 2,536,169 Gray Jan. 2, 1951 2,688,354 Berger Sept. 7, 1954 2,691,401 Kontoi et al. Oct. 12, 1954 2,712,336 Casselman July 5, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 869,852 Germany Mar. 9, 1953 

